MALAYSIAKINI must pay a RM500,000 fine for allowing allegedly contemptuous readers’ comments on its website.

The fine was fixed by the Federal Court after its judgment finding the news portal guilty of contempt, and is payable within three days, which means by next Wednesday.

The prosecution only asked for a RM200,000 fine, while Malaysiakini’s lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar pleaded for a minimum RM20,000 fine and a maximum of RM30,000.

Malik said this was sufficient to show the court’s displeasure while also taking into account that this was the first case of its kind. –

The court did not convict the second defendant, the portal’s editor-in-chief Steven Gan.

Gan said after the ruling Malaysiakini was not being punished for its journalism but for comments by its readers.

The portal is appealing for donations to help pay the fine.

The front page of the website is now in black and white as a sign of protest.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun brought contempt charges against the portal last June over its readers’ comments on the website about the chief justice’s orders about court proceedings while the movement control order was in effect.

The apex court today delivered a 6-1 majority decision that may not be appealed. – February 19, 2021.